Atty. William D. Shapiro
William D. Shapiro is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs.
Profile Summary
About William D. Shapiro at a glance
William D. Shapiro is a personal injury attorney based in San Bernardino, California, practicing at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. They have 47+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1979. Admitted to practice in California, The State Bar of California (1979) and District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar (2016). Educated at Western State University College of Law (—, 1978). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs (2026). Serands clients in San Bernardino, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- William D. Shapiro is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- WILLIAM D. SHAPIRO - William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements
- Honors include: 2025 California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY Award) & Top 100 Plaintiff Lawyers, Daily Journal
- 2025, 2022, 2016 and 2013“Top Gun” Trial Lawyer of the Year, Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA)
- 2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Top 5 Finalist
- 2022 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles (CAALA) Top 5 Finalist
- 2016 Lawyer of the Year, Western San Bernardino County Bar Association (WSBCBA)
- 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year, CAL-ABOTA
- 2014 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Consumer Attorneys of the Inland Empire
- 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, Personal Injury IE
- Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
- Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL)
- Fellow International Society of Barristers (ISOB)
- Board Certified Trial Advocacy Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
- Specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California
- 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, Western San Bernardino County Bar Association
- 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award & 2011 Hall of Fame, Western State College of Law
- 2026 ABOTA National President
- 2016 ABOTA National Secretary, 2024, 2014-2016, 2023-Current, ABOTA Foundation Trustee
- 2021 ABOTA Arthur Kelly Civility Award
- “Tier 1, Best Law Firms” Best Lawyers in America and U.S
- News
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, “10" AVVO; “Top 100,” SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside ABOTA (2008), San Bernardino County Bar Association (2008), President, Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire (1985-6) and the Joseph
- B. Campbell American Inn of Court (1996); 1981-1985, 2012- Current, Adjunct professor, Torts, Ethics and Civil Trial Practice Western State College of Law
Practice Areas Explained
William D. Shapiro's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William D. Shapiro handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
William D. Shapiro is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in San Bernardino are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in San Bernardino or all attorneys in California.
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